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Brampton mayor says bylaw charges laid after officers break up party with 200 people

Click to play video: 'Premier Ford says ‘bunch of yahoos’ at Brampton house party should be punished under ‘full extent of the law’'
Premier Ford says ‘bunch of yahoos’ at Brampton house party should be punished under ‘full extent of the law’
WATCH ABOVE: Ontario Premier Doug Ford sounded off on the organizers and guests at a Brampton house party over the weekend. He reminded everyone that Peel Region is still in Stage 2 of reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic and the "bunch of yahoos" should be penalized under the "full extent of the law." – Jul 27, 2020

BRAMPTON — Police west of Toronto say bylaw officers broke up a house party attended by as many as 200 people on Saturday night.

Peel Regional Police say the partygoers in Brampton were violating provincial emergency orders enacted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peel Region remains in Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan, limiting gatherings to a maximum of 10 people with physical distancing in effect.

Police say nearby residents called in to report the party just before 10 p.m., and bylaw officers arrived on scene about an hour later.

They say it took another hour to clear out the party.

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Police say they didn’t lay criminal charges, and representatives for the City of Brampton did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether bylaw officers issued tickets.

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus: ‘We have to look at enforcement’ says Premier Ford after huge Brampton house party'
Coronavirus: ‘We have to look at enforcement’ says Premier Ford after huge Brampton house party

But Mayor Patrick Brown said in a tweet that the property owners are facing bylaw charges.

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“The matter is going to court,” he said. “Maximum penalty is $100,000. Reckless behaviour is expensive.”

Global News spoke to the individual who threw the party. He declined to go on camera, but said he invited 25 to 35 people to celebrate his birthday, though others showed up after information about the party was posted on social media.

He said he tried to follow social-distancing rules, and even ordered a porta-potty so people didn’t go inside.

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Click to play video: 'Brampton homeowner facing bylaw charges after massive party'
Brampton homeowner facing bylaw charges after massive party

He estimated that the crowd was 50, but admitted the event was a mistake.

Const. Kyle Villers called the incident “disheartening.”

“It shows the complete disregard for the health and well being of everybody in Brampton,” he said. “To have a party with this many people giving the state of the world with COVID-19 is a ripe opportunity for another outbreak.”

Villers said it only takes one person to show symptoms to have hundreds of cases come out, which affects the greater community.

–With files from Global News

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